Knowledge of Angels - Jill Patton Walsh

The book features two strangers who arrive on the island of Grandinsula and consequently become the subject of a unique experiment that puts the lives of both unknowing participants in the balance. One of these 'participants' who by no means is a volunteer is Palinor. An admirable character that is staunchly true to himself yet his incredible stubbornness is a quality that ultimately leads to his downfall. A blatant atheist, he finds himself a rare breed on the shores of this conservative island, where he soon discovers that his views are unacceptable and punishable by death. Portrayed implicitly by Paton Walsh as a Christ-like figure, he will not conceal his ...  Read the complete review

This is a wonderful book. The first passage is just wonderfully written prose which draws you in "for angels are very bright mirrors". Then it becomes a social commentary which intertwines the fates of a lost atheist, a priest, an unlikely nun and a child raised by wolves, all upon a small island in an un-named historical period. At the centre of this book is the question of faith, and how we define and rationalize it. How do you prove that God exists? The answer, of course, is that the statement 'God exists' is impossible to prove. So why do so many believe? Well drawn characters, good dialogue, and a intriguing argument at the ...  Read the complete review